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- On December 21st, 1885, the Eclipse Fire Company of Mercersburg, PA was organized and consisted of 39 members. The Department was comprised of a Silsby Steamer which could be hand or horse drawn at a cost $2,200.00 and 1000 feet of hose on two-wheeled hand drawn hose reels. It was said a head of steam required for pumping water could be generated in the time it took to go from Town Hall to the Square. In addition, three large cisterns were dug in the town, holding 18,000, 20,000 and 25,000 gallons of water.
Early foreground chain of command consisted of the Chief Director, 1st and 2nd Assistant Directors; the Engine Captain who placed the engine; the Hose Captain ran the hose and the Chief Plugman directed the stream. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Engineers and firemen were to clean the engine and keep it ready for immediate use at all times. Lieutenants could be appointed to act in the absence of the captains.
The membership would be fined 50 cents if they introduced spirituous or malt liquors into the Engine House or engaged in any immoral practices.
In 1888, firemen were kept busy working at 15 stable fires set by a fire bug. On October 30, 1888 a $1000 reward was offered by the Borough of Mercersburg. The men were caught and drew long terms in the penitentiary.
It was at the John L. Bekert stable fire in 1893 that the late C. Edgar Fallon, Fire Chief for 58 years, as a boy of 12 years was called upon to operate the steamer engine as two operators were sick and his father, also an operator, was out of town.
In December, 1901 at a barn fire on West Seminary Street, which seemed to the anxious spectators like an age before the fire engine was in operation, turned out that the actual time was just 14 minutes from the alarm until a stream of water was playing upon the flames, which in less than an hour, had them under control.
In 1920 the 1885 Steamer was mounted on a Cadillac chassis. This became the department's first motorized vehicle. The first factory built vehicle came in 1924, which would last until approximately 1947. Then for the next 15 to 20 years, the equipment was updated by Fire Chief Edgar Fallon, who served as chief from 1905 to 1963.
On May 8 1925 there was a general call sent out to the citizens of Mercersburg to organize a "Fire Fighters Organization" which was called by unanimous vote the Mercersburg Fire Department. Vaugh J. Byron was elected President;, C.E. Daub, Vice President; L.L. Steiger Secretary-Treasurer; with C. Edgar Fallon remaining as Fire Chief.
On July 24, 1925 the Burgess and Council of the Borough of
Mercersburg passed a resolution to agree with the Mercersburg Fire
Department here after call Fire Company. The Borough then turned
over to the Fire Company the use and operation of the two fire engines
and equipment. The title however to remain in the name of the
Borough.
One engine was a factory purchased, new 1924 Pirsch-Reo
tank combination, chemical engine pump and hose car with a 300 gpm
rotary pump, two 40 gallon checmical tanks and chemical hose basket.
The hose body had capacity to hold 1000 feet of 2 1/2 c.r.l. fire hose.
This was Engine Number 1.
The other engine was a Cadillac chassis converted to a
fire engine. Sometime later at a fire in Markes, PA, it blew a piston
just missing the operator.
The greatest fire Mercersburg had ever known; at 1:00 PM,
October 22, 1925 the public school, which was located at the site of the
present Mercersburg Elementary school, burned. Six firemen were overcome
with smoke. Strong winds carried sparks over a mile endangering
the entire northern end of town and setting one house roof on fire.
Mercersburg placed two streams on the inferno, taking water from a
hydrant and from a cistern. One room was saved.
On January 9, 1927 in freezing weather, Main Hall of The
Mercersburg Academy, burned. 4000 feet of hose was laid by
Mercersburg and assisting fire companies. The swimming pool was used as
one water source.
For it's timely arrival and splendid work at a fire in
Fort Loudon, PA on March 5, 1927, the citizens of the town presented a
check in the amount of $218.00 to upgrade Fort Loudon's water supply.
A sterling siren was purchsed in April, 1927 for $396.00
to sound the alert for fires.
Sporadic return of funds from picnics and festivals to
finance the fire company, spurred the tax payers of Peters, Montgomery
and Warren Townships and Mercersburg Borough to a special meeting on
December 26, 1941 to authorize the supervisors and Borough Council to
assess a unit rate not in excess of one mill for fire protection.
It was resolved that a committee of two men from each township and the
borough would be picked to represent each municipality in the form of a
joint budget and finance committee. Reportedly, this was the second
such incorporation of it's kind in the State of Pennsylvania.
On January 22nd, 1942, the company was renamed to its present name as Mercersburg, Montgomery, Peters & Warren Volunteer Fire Company providing services to all three townships and the borough of Mercersburg; covering over 150 square miles.
Equipment consisted of #1 Reo, a 1930 Reo Speed Wagon 500 gmp pumper; #2 1932 Reo elecric generator and pumper engine; #3 1939 White 600 gmp pumper; #4 which is still admired for it's heavy construction and faithful service. Cost of the apartus was $3,303.89. The last four apparatus bodies were designed and built by Chief Fallon.
It was the marriage of the Townships and Borough that introduced water taker operations, ten to fifteen years ahead of it's time, to the surrounding area. No. 1 was remodeled to carry 500 gallons of water.
In 1943 the Fire Company was starting to be financed with real estate tax revenues at the rate of 3/4 mill for the Townships and 1 mill for the Borough of Mercersburg. Also, there was some discussion, in mid year, to giving fire protection to Metal Township.
In 1946 a factory built 1053 gallon tank mounted on a Dodge chassis. No. 5 having 1000 psc extra high pressure fog front end, 300 gpm pump was put into service in 1956, an 1100 gallon pumper-tanker. No. 6 was received on an International chassis. In early 1952, the Reo #2 was remodeled to carry 700 gallons of water with a 500 gpm pump. These tankers were designed by Chief Fallon.
In 1953 the Fire Company made a contract with the Rescue Hose Company of Greencastle for better fire protection for the eastern ends of Montgomery and Peters Townships, and this contract was in effect for several years.
Notable throughout the Fire Company history are these innovations; mobile electric generators mounted on a fire engine to supply light at night fires and festivals. This apparatus was 25 years ahead of it's time. Large water carrying capactiy as early as the 1940s. Indirect application of water using the steam effect to control fire by using extra high pressure pumping engines, 1946 to 1956.
In 1954, the company bought 2 way radios for the department.
In 1955 and 1956, they bought a new truck.
In 1957, in the interest of civil defense, more radio equipment was installed. This time it was a tone controled monitors to sound the siren from Chambersburg. Also, in August of this year was the first discussion about organizing the Fire Police.
Aerial ladder apparatus for rescue and water application came in the late 1960s. On July 7, 1960 the Volunteers organized to form the "Eclipse Volunteer Fire Fighters", an auxiliary to the M.M.P.W. Fire Company. The object, to work in perfect harmony with the Mother Company, but completely independent in the business activities of the Fire Board. C.E. Snyder was elected president of this move to give the Volunteers an organizational structure which has continued to present.
In 1962, it was decided to have a paid person at the salary of $5,000.00 per year. Paul E. Taylor was to become the first paid man.
After the death of Henry Lightner (Asst Chief) holder
of a record 542 calls without a miss and retirement of Chief Fallon in
1964 after 70 years of service, the Fire Board reorganized and the Fire
Company moved from Fallon's Garage to the present location in 1965.
In 1964, Henry Steiger because the second fire chief, who served from 1964 until 1976. Paul E. (Ed) Taylor was his 1st Asst Chief and Robin Robinson 2nd Asst Chief. It was in this year, members were devoted to finding a lot for a building and a new fire hall and the first meeting held at the new fire hall was on January 29, 1965. It was at this meeting that the Fire Company accepted the offer of the Rotary Club to obtain an ambulance to be operated by the volunteers. The siren on the new fire station sounded for the first time on January 5, 1965 for a chimney fire at the Nelson Heckman home in Shimpstown. At the end of 1965, the Fire Company had responded to 72 calls with $253,035.00 fire losses and 138 ambulance calls with 5,392 miles traveled.
In February 1966 a request was made for a new ambulance to replace the 1959 model which had 61,336 miles on it.
In October 1966, at a special meeting, it was decided to purchase a second hand ladder truck from Potomac Edison at the cost of $1,201.00.
In April, 1967 a Ford F850 chassis was bought for $7,123.00 from Fulton Motors in McConnellsburg. In May it was decided to purchase the body from Howe Fire Equipment Company at a cost of $13,395.00. Ambulance club memberships rose to include 980 families.
September, 1968, the property adjacent to the Fire Hall was purchased at a cost of $3,800.00 for expansion of the company property.
December, 1968 was the first talk of forming a Ladies Auxilliary. February, 1969, the 14 members of the Ladies Auxiliary met and formed their By-Laws. The late Mrs. Emma Tritle and Mrs. Jean Snyder organized the group. The officers at this time: Mrs. Shirley Winter, President; Mrs. Betty Hoffeditz, Vice President; Mrs. Helen Bryan, Secretary; Mrs. Cecyl Starliper, Treasurer; Mrs. Helen Keefer, Financial Secretary and Mrs. Rose Kahn, Chaplin. The duties of the auxiliary is to reaise money to help purchase new trucks.
A reorgization of the Ambulance Squad came in the early part of 1973. It was also in 1973 that the Fire Company decided to start honoring its members with twienty-five or more years of service with Life Memberships.
In 1974 the Fire Company purchased a used 1951 Mack Rescue Truck.
In 1976 the Fire Company began a building addition that would be completed early the following year. The meeting of March 31, 1977 was the first meeting to take placei in the new meeting room.
In 1977, the third Fire Chief, C. Edgar Snyder was elected and served
until 1983. Also in 1977, Nick Barbuzanes was appointed to the full time
employee position. Fire Board
Directors; Albert Metcalf, President; Howard H. Stouffer, Vice
President; Robert R. Brindle, Secretary; Melvin E. Thomas, Treasurer;
F.L. Utermoelen, O.R. Shives, Jack A Peck and Roy L. Sollenberger.
Fire Company officers to the Volunteers are;
C.E. Snyder, Fire Chief; Donald Banks, Chief Aid; Earl A Rice, Edgar R.
Hoffeditz and Ronald Bryan are the Deputy Chiefs; Homer E. Winters,
Secretary; Jack Rank, Treasurer.
Retiring Chief Henry Stieger (L) passes his helmet to new Chief Ed Snyder (R)
On January 18, 1979 a special meeting was held to discuss the changes that would have to be made to the Charter and By-Laws to include eighteen year olds along with Junior and Sparkie membership. At the October 25, 1979 meeting was decided to accept into membership persons under the age of eighteen, as provided under the Pennsylvania Department of Child Labor Laws.
1980 saw a new ambulance purchased.
At a meeting on January 29, 1981 it was decided to restore the 1939 White for parade and display purposes.
In July, 1983, the following members were recognized for their acts in saving a 4 year old girl in a house fire in the Borough of Mercersburg at a meeting: Nick Barbuzanes, Paul N. Christophel, and Donald Stoner, Jr.
In August, 1983, Nick Barbuzanes was elected as acting fire chief for the
remainder of that year.
In 1984, Nick Barbuzanes was appointed fire chief and a new rescue pumper was ordered with delivery early the next year. The Ambulance Auxilliary also took delivery of a new Ford Horton ambulance.
In January of 1985, a 1985 Sutphen Pumper was recieved.
December 11, 1989 the 911 call feature was activiated for Franklin County.
The newly created ambulance positions were filled by the Fire Board at its meeting on January 2, 1991. Following a review of eight applicants, selected were Donald (Dusty) Stoner as a full-time EMT and Curtis Bryan as the full-time ambulance driver.
August 1991 - Ashes, a three-month-old Dalamatian puppy was presented to the Volunteers by the Junior Firefighters. September of 1991, a 1991 Sutphen was received. The unit was designated as Engine 9-1.
In December of 1999, Tower 9 was received. It is a 1977 refurbished Sutphen. We also received our 1999 Sutphen Engine Tanker the same year back in March.
March of 2000 the 1963 Seagraves ladder truck was donated to a fire company in Tennesse.
In July of 2001, M.M.P.& W. took delivery of a 2001 Ford F550 which was placed in service as Rescue 9.
In December 2004, Chief Nick Barbuzanes announced his retirement effective December 31st, 2004.
On January 1st, 2005, Donald E. Stoner Jr. was named Fire Chief, as Nick Barbuzanes retired after 21 years. The company also went to having two paid personnel on the fire side and Waynesboro ALS was awarded the contract to staff the ambulances with two personnel from 5am till 5 pm.
In June 2005, the 1985 Sutphen Pumper known as Engine 9-2 was sold to the Seymour Fire Department in Tennessee.
In 2008 a four engine bay addition was added to the back of the existing building allowing for housing of the expanding fleet of vehicles.
In July 2009, the fire department purchased the adjacent Nelling property at a price of $125,000.00 and the historic Smith house that was on the property was dismantled. The stones from the building were turned over to the Save the Smith House foundtaion so it could someday be rebuilt in another location.
In September 2011 after 11 years, Jon Bender resigned as Ambulance Chief. Susan McCracken was elected to fill his vacated position effective January 2012.
On January 26, 2013 at the 44th Annual Awards banquet, Dale Carbaugh accepted the office of Fire Chief making him the sixth Fire Chief in the departments history. At this same banquet, Jon Bender, retired Ambulance Chief was honored with a Life Time Achievement Award for his many years of service and contributions to the Fire Department. He was presented with an enscribed Henry Golden Boy 22 Rifle.
February 25, 2013, Waynesboro Advanced Life Support stationed a medic unit staffed with one paramedic at MMPW. This unit is designated as Medic 209 and is staffed 24/7.
FIn October 2013 the ambulance squad took delivery of a new 2012 Horton Type I ambulance with a 2013 4500 4x4 Dodge chassis to replace the 2004 Ford 450 Horton ambulance 9-8. And Tower 9 was sold.
November 2013 - renovations began at the station to remodel the kitchen and meeting room. The old kitchen was remodeled to include a lounge, utility room and kitchen. The back half of the meeting room was remodeled adding a male and female bunkroom. New tiles and carpeting were installed in the meeting room, lounge, bunk rooms, Medic office and EMS office. The wall of the EMS office was pushed out to into the watchroom to enlarge the room.
November 2014 - The Volunteer, Ambulance Squad, Fire
Police and Junior Firefighter auxiliries were combined into one company
and a legal name change filed changing the name to MMP&W Volunteer Fire
and Ambulance Co., Inc.
May 2016 - MMPW Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co., Inc changed from 501(c)4 to 501(c)3 non-profit status.
July 2016 - MMPW and Waynesboro Advanced Life Support (Medic 2) mutually dissolved the contract for BLS staffing at the fire station. MMPW now employs one full-time and two part-time apparatus drivers and four full-time and ten part-time EMTs. EMTs are staffed 24/7 and Medic 209 is still staffed by one Medic 2 Paramedic on station 24/7. This same month, MMPW took delivery of its new ambulance, a 2016 Ford 550 Road Rescue Ambulance complete with power lift stretcher. This ambulance was designated as Ambulance 9-9. A power lift stretcher had previously been installed in Dodge Horton Ambulance 9-8 in March. - November 2016 - Franklin County Commissioners announced they had selected the MMPW Activity Center as the new home of the Magisterial District Judge's office for district 39-3-06 and retained Newcomer Associates architectural firm to redesign the portion of the interior which will be utilized by the court. The project is scheduled to be completed and occupancy to begin by the court by spring of 2018. The office is being moved from its current location, the second floor of Mercersburg Boro Hall, to allow better handicap accessablilty and provide more parking. This will generate $4,250 per month in income for the fire company.
February 8, 2018
MMPW took delivery of a 2018 Pierce Arrow XT engine. This engine
will replace the 1991 Sutphen Pumper.
February 15, 2018
Lemasters Community Association presented donations of $70.000.00 to the
Ambulance Squad and $91,561.56 to the Fire Company. This was a
portion of the liquidation of the organizations assests after the
disbandment and sale of their properties two years prior.
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